Knicks 104 Rockets 98 -- Winning From Behind, Finally
Knicks got a high quality win for the fourth straight week with a comeback victory against the Rockets, their first after 21 straight losses where the team was behind after three quarters. This game had a strange rhythm and vibe to it all the way around – from the numerous gestures toward the Chinese community despite Yao’s absence (including the recitation of the starting lineup in Mandarin, which brought wry and polite smiles from most of the Knick starters), to the actual flow of the game, which was much more free wheeling than the slogfest in Houston in early January. Highlights:
• Strong Start For A Change: After several straight slow starts, the Knicks played a very good first quarter (with better offense thanks in part to Harrington’s replacement of Chandler as a starter), and D’Antoni continued to experiment with various lineups with the full complement of nine that he’s had at his disposal recently.
• This Time, It Was Their Bench: The myriad Knick lineups hit a wall in the second quarter, however, as the Rockets bench were far more effective than the starters and shot their way back to a lead. Tim Thomas seemed to struggle the most, as Carl Landry’s combination of physicality and agility gave TT fits, but the Knick guards also did a poor job of defending the three (Barry, Wafer, Brooks, and even Artest all converting in the 2nd quarter). The Rockets kept a reasonable lead of seven to nine points for most of the third and fourth quarters before the Knicks made their comeback.
• Welcome Back Wilson: Wilson Chandler was left out of the starting lineup, but he made his return as an impact player with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and only 1 turnover. It becomes apparent pretty quickly whether Wilson has “got it” or not when he is in the ballgame – when he is mentally struggling, he is tentative, commiting turnovers, shooting long 3s, and attacking the basket awkwardly (when he even bothers to drive). Against the Rockets, he looked more energized and engaged than he has in several games – Mike over at Knickerblogger provides (as usual) an excellent analysis of the adjustments made to make his game more effective.
• Nate is Great Again: As has been the pattern in the Knick’s recent stretch of winning, Nate Robinson contributed great energy and more efficient scoring, and combined with Duhon and Lee’s usual solid efforts, played a big part in the game ending rally. Tim Thomas, despite his up and down start, contributed key points down the stretch to deliver a positive contribution in the end (+11 for the game). And Wilson delivered a dagger of a three to put the Knicks up for good at 97-96.
• Improved Clutch Defense, Poor Opponent Choices: The Rockets probably did the Knicks a huge favor by relying so much on their starters (McGrady and Artest specifically) – after McGrady scored over Chandler to give the Rockets a six point lead with 5:11 remaining, the Rockets only scored four points (on two Scola baskets) the rest of the game. McGrady, Artest and Alston combined to miss all 11 of their shots in those final five minutes. Talk about a stark contrast to the last five minutes of the Sixer game, where the Knicks gave up 21 points in the same time period and couldn't get a stop.
Other encouraging signs: Knicks got to the free throw line, shot well, outrebounded the Rockets, and minimized their turnovers. The Rockets had an advantage on the offensive glass, but that's what they do well (Battier practically runs a clinic in terms of his ability to tip the ball and keep it alive for the Rockets). Jeffries, Richardson, and Harrington had rough games, but all contributed in different ways (Jeffries' minutes seem to be going steadily down, which as far as I'm concerned is a good sign).
• Strong Start For A Change: After several straight slow starts, the Knicks played a very good first quarter (with better offense thanks in part to Harrington’s replacement of Chandler as a starter), and D’Antoni continued to experiment with various lineups with the full complement of nine that he’s had at his disposal recently.
• This Time, It Was Their Bench: The myriad Knick lineups hit a wall in the second quarter, however, as the Rockets bench were far more effective than the starters and shot their way back to a lead. Tim Thomas seemed to struggle the most, as Carl Landry’s combination of physicality and agility gave TT fits, but the Knick guards also did a poor job of defending the three (Barry, Wafer, Brooks, and even Artest all converting in the 2nd quarter). The Rockets kept a reasonable lead of seven to nine points for most of the third and fourth quarters before the Knicks made their comeback.
• Welcome Back Wilson: Wilson Chandler was left out of the starting lineup, but he made his return as an impact player with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and only 1 turnover. It becomes apparent pretty quickly whether Wilson has “got it” or not when he is in the ballgame – when he is mentally struggling, he is tentative, commiting turnovers, shooting long 3s, and attacking the basket awkwardly (when he even bothers to drive). Against the Rockets, he looked more energized and engaged than he has in several games – Mike over at Knickerblogger provides (as usual) an excellent analysis of the adjustments made to make his game more effective.
• Nate is Great Again: As has been the pattern in the Knick’s recent stretch of winning, Nate Robinson contributed great energy and more efficient scoring, and combined with Duhon and Lee’s usual solid efforts, played a big part in the game ending rally. Tim Thomas, despite his up and down start, contributed key points down the stretch to deliver a positive contribution in the end (+11 for the game). And Wilson delivered a dagger of a three to put the Knicks up for good at 97-96.
• Improved Clutch Defense, Poor Opponent Choices: The Rockets probably did the Knicks a huge favor by relying so much on their starters (McGrady and Artest specifically) – after McGrady scored over Chandler to give the Rockets a six point lead with 5:11 remaining, the Rockets only scored four points (on two Scola baskets) the rest of the game. McGrady, Artest and Alston combined to miss all 11 of their shots in those final five minutes. Talk about a stark contrast to the last five minutes of the Sixer game, where the Knicks gave up 21 points in the same time period and couldn't get a stop.
Other encouraging signs: Knicks got to the free throw line, shot well, outrebounded the Rockets, and minimized their turnovers. The Rockets had an advantage on the offensive glass, but that's what they do well (Battier practically runs a clinic in terms of his ability to tip the ball and keep it alive for the Rockets). Jeffries, Richardson, and Harrington had rough games, but all contributed in different ways (Jeffries' minutes seem to be going steadily down, which as far as I'm concerned is a good sign).
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